Anxious: "If you can't speak, then write it down."...

The temperature dropped sharply and then rose sharply after the blizzard. The blazing sun overhead made it feel like summer, and looking at the unmelted snow in the corner, I was momentarily disoriented.

People who have lived in Lingzhou for a long time are used to the city's ever-changing weather. The older generation will tell the younger generation with their experience that there will be another snowfall, and only after that will spring officially begin in Lingzhou.

But some stubborn young people refused to believe it, took off their winter coats and put on brightly colored spring clothes, ready to be the first splash of color when the first spring breeze blew.

As a result, they were frozen by the falling snow and ran away, obediently staying at home drinking medicine and waiting for the snow to pass.

The gentle lingering of the last snowfall was like comforting a child frightened by a blizzard.

Light snowflakes drifted and landed on Ah Chou's small nose. He stopped and looked up, his eyes widening slightly.

"Ah Chou, I brought you some delicious food today too!" Xiao Le, dressed warmly and beautifully, ran through the snow and put her arm around Ah Chou's shoulder as they headed to their secret hideout.

The secret base was just at the end of the corridor, and the room next to it was a storage room that was rarely visited. So it became the place where Ah Chou and Xiao Le met and chatted.

The two squatted on the ground, sheltered by the railing from the wind and snow, huddled together like small animals seeking warmth, exchanging the treats they received.

Xiao Le rummaged in his pocket and pulled out two tangerines, his face beaming with joy. "Young Master Dou didn't like the batch of tangerines that were sent a month ago, so he gave away quite a few. In this weather, fruit is more precious than gold. I thought you probably haven't tried them before, so I saved two for you."

The sweet and sour juice exploded on his taste buds, and Ah Chou squinted his eyes contentedly, a sign that he was enjoying his favorite food.

Xiao Le leaned closer and whispered, "Do you still remember Fu Zi?"

Fu Zi was a personal servant in Dou Yuyuan's household. She was transferred to serve Uncle Ban before Xiao Le.

When Ah Chou went to find Xiao Le, he had the good fortune to meet her once. She was arrogant and superior to others, and the other servants in the training hall were even more merciless in their words, picking out the most offensive and humiliating things to say.

"Before Young Master Dou arrived, I had met Fu Zi a few times, and he was quite normal in his words and actions. Who would have thought that he would change his personality after being promoted? In just half a month, he has offended quite a few people."

Thinking of the resentful comments others made about Fuzi behind her back, Xiao Le pursed her lips and sighed, "Fuzi was found dead in her dormitory yesterday."

Ah Chou's eyes widened suddenly, so shocked that he forgot to chew, clearly not expecting such an ending.

"You know how the weather has been these days. Uncle Ban told him to keep warm, but he wouldn't listen and insisted on wearing spring clothes. As a result, the temperature outside dropped sharply while he was on duty, and he couldn't leave his post without permission. He actually caught a cold from the cold."

The servants of the royal household were divided into different ranks. In addition to the intensity of their daily labor and the quality of their living quarters, the rules for their clothing and appearance also distinguished their status.

The personal servants who served their masters naturally had more elaborate clothing than most household servants. Unfortunately, in winter, they were all dressed in drab gray cotton-padded coats and were not very noticeable. It was only in spring and summer that they wore brightly colored fabrics embroidered with beautiful patterns.

Fu Zi, with his love of showing off, couldn't resist the opportunity to wear the clothes. He flaunted them like a peacock in front of his servants, who were of lower status than him, resulting in an irreparable tragedy.

When Ah Chou was a slave and was bought and sold at will, he saw many of his companions die on the road because they couldn't hold on. No matter how many times he witnessed the passing of life, he still felt regret.

The oranges in his mouth tasted bland, and Fu Zi's death made Ah Chou realize once again how terrifying the winter in Lingzhou was.

“With Fu Zi dead, the position of personal attendant to Young Master Dou is vacant, and many people are eyeing it, wanting to take it.” Xiao Le licked his lower lip, his ambition undisguised. “If someone like Fu Zi can get it, why can’t I? Ah Chou, do you believe me?”

Ah Chou immediately perked up and nodded earnestly.

They all had work to do, so after a short rest and chat, they went back to their respective homes, finding solace in each other's loneliness and helplessness in the royal palace.

The snow showed no sign of stopping even into the evening. Ah Chou brushed the snowflakes off his head and waited outside for the chill to dissipate before daring to enter the inner room.

He had never paid attention to these small details before, but when he learned that Jiang Yanhui's old illness would relapse if she caught a cold, he couldn't help but start to pay attention, instinctively not wanting to cause Jiang Yanhui pain because of his own mistakes.

Jiang Yanhui wore a black coat draped over her shoulders, and a gilded hairband tied her thick black hair behind her back. She sat cross-legged on a soft couch covered with snow-white fox fur, and her otherworldly and untouched temperament stunned A Chou.

Is it still raining outside?

Ah Chou suddenly came to his senses and nodded.

Jiang Yan replied, "It seems we'll have to wait two more days before we can stop. Once we stop, spring will arrive."

Before going to bed, the usual task was to serve Jiang Yanhui a foot bath. A Chou was particularly attentive, rolling up her sleeves and swinging her two white arms to bring over the prepared medicinal bath. She tested the water temperature before taking off Jiang Yanhui's socks.

The kneeling Ah Chou's face was only illuminated by the candlelight, but it was those incredibly earnest eyes that made Jiang Yan Hui's heart itch.

She abruptly said, "The frostbite on my face is healed."

Jiang Yan recalled that if she wanted anyone's injuries to heal completely, she would have used countless precious medicinal herbs. Ah Chou's swollen and scabbed chilblains disappeared in just half a month, and her skin became smoother and more delicate than before.

Ah Chou looked at Jiang Yan Hui gratefully, the stinging itchiness on his face gone, allowing him to sleep soundly.

Knowing that everything he had gained came from the incomparably noble woman before him, his gratitude towards Jiang Yanhui deepened.

After quickly attending to Jiang Yanhui's bedtime needs, A Chou washed her hands and went to the bedside to make the bed for Jiang Yanhui.

Having become familiar with the work process and lowered her guard, Ah Chou wore only two layers of clothing in the warm room. A three-finger-wide belt accentuated her slender waist, which swayed slightly in front of her as she bent over to tidy up, alluring without her realizing it.

Once her eyes glanced at it, she couldn't look away. A long-dormant fire in her heart suddenly ignited. Jiang Yan rubbed her fingertips together, her eyes growing increasingly dark.

Her feet, clad in pristine white socks, trod silently on the carpet, standing like a ghost behind Ah Chou, waiting for him to turn around and pounce into her arms.

As she had expected, the first thing she smelled was the medicinal scent emanating from Ah Chou, followed by the fresh scent of soapberry and a sweet smell that she couldn't quite place.

Startled, Ah Chou turned around to hide, but then realized there was a bed behind him. If he fell down, Jiang Yan might throw him again, and he wouldn't be able to rest tonight.

Ah Chou stood there blankly, watching as Jiang Yan Hui lowered her head and sniffed his neck. Her hot breath hit his sensitive skin, and half of his body went limp. He was about to get dizzy from being enveloped by the unique and pleasant fragrance emanating from Jiang Yan Hui.

Jiang Yanhui pulled her willow-like, supple waist into his embrace, their bodies pressed together so tightly that no movement could be avoided or escaped.

"I've gained weight."

The once skeletal, flat body was covered with a thin layer of fat after being fed delicious food and drink, making it feel even better to the touch.

However, Jiang Yanhui felt it wasn't enough. A beauty should be graceful and passionate. The untrained A Chou was too raw and immature, which gave her a unique charm.

Jiang Yanhui's warm palm rubbed Ah Chou's lower back twice through the fabric of his clothes. The uncontrollable tingling sensation made Ah Chou shudder like an electric shock. At the same time, his cheeks flushed red, and his bright red earlobes seemed to be dripping blood.

Overwhelmed with shame, her eyes welled up with tears, and her rosy lips pursed involuntarily. Her weak, trembling legs made it difficult for her to stand, and she only managed to avoid an embarrassing slip by relying on Jiang Yan Hui's strength.

The intense dependence satisfied Jiang Yanhui's twisted desire for control in matters of the heart. His dark eyes stared intently at the bewildered and lost Ah Chou, his smile widening.

He coaxed in a low, seductive voice, brimming with desire, "Go to bed."

Ah Chou was like a small boat in a stormy sea, with the overwhelming waves trying to capsize him and sink him to the bottom. He gasped for breath, trying to find a sliver of clarity.

The contrast between her fair skin and the deep blue brocade quilt was striking. Ah Chou, limp and powerless, stared at Jiang Yan Hui, who was leaning towards her, with half-closed eyes.

Jiang Yan's hairband slipped off, and her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall. As if possessed, Ah Chou reached out and grasped her loose hair, the strands tickling her fingers.

Jiang Yan glanced at him, then took Ah Chou's hand and pressed it against his cheek. Seemingly aware of her own beauty, Jiang Yan's eyes crinkled as she asked, "Am I pretty?"

Ah Chou nodded honestly.

Compared to Jiang Yanhui's luxurious and aloof demeanor, he preferred Jiang Yanhui lounging in a warm room reading a book, which brought him inexplicable peace of mind.

Jiang Yanhui's bent fingers brushed across Ah Chou's cheek. "You're pretty too."

Ashou, who had been lying flat and compliantly at will, suddenly snapped back to reality when Jiang Yanhui tried to unbutton his collar. His eyes cleared instantly, but were now filled with deep fear. With a burst of strength, he broke free from Jiang Yanhui's restraints, clutching his collar tightly in fear and anxiety, and kicking his legs to pull himself back.

Regardless of the reason, Jiang Yan Hui disliked people who resisted or even avoided her in bed. She lowered her eyebrows in displeasure, and A Chou's eyes reddened. She pitifully curled up her legs.

Jiang Yanhui tossed her loose hair, revealing a smooth, full forehead. Her sharp beauty was extremely aggressive. Having been interrupted midway, she suppressed her nameless anger and asked patiently, "Why are you hiding?"

Ah Chou blinked slowly, lowered her head, and refused to speak.

The ambiguous atmosphere turned tense and uneasy.

Jiang Yan clicked her tongue lightly, lifted Ah Chou's chin with such force that Ah Chou felt her bones were about to break, her nose felt sore and swollen, and the tears that had been welling up in her eyes fell in the blink of an eye.

"If you can't speak, then write it down."

Jiang Yan dragged A Chou off the bed, pulling him like a little chick to the table, pressed him down into a chair, and roughly shoved a calligraphy brush into his hand, leaving a few drops of ink splashed on A Chou's face.

"Write."

Jiang Yanhui, looking down at him coldly, extinguished the last glimmer of hope that Ah Chou had left, with her commanding tone.

A note from the author:

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To be continued in the next chapter [hugs]